The best hoof boots on the market have many uses. They can be used to provide extra protection to barefoot hooves or support the hooves during the transition to barefoot, but they can also be used as part of rehabilitation programmes or in an emergency when your horse loses a shoe. Whatever your situation, they’re handy to have. If you’re just looking for a boot to cover a dressing or poultice, try the WoofWear medical hoof boot.
WoofWear Medical Hoof Boot at amazon.co.uk
This hoof boot is ideal for covering a dressing or poultice. It’s available in 10 sizes to ensure the perfect fit.
Look for a pair of hoof boots that offer sufficient protection while remaining lightweight, shock-absorbing and sturdy. Consider the type of riding you plan to be doing, or whether your horse will need to be wearing them 24/7, as many brands offer different models that lend themselves to a range of terrains.
It’s also worth noting that different brands and models within brands will fit different shaped hooves better. It’s important to take accurate measurements – most brands have a detailed fitting guide and some will even select the best fit for you if you send them photos. Many boots that come with parts – such as adjustment straps or inner neoprene gaiters – also sell these parts separately in case you need to replace them.
Best hoof boots
Cavallo Trek Hoof Boot
Colours: Black or green | Sizes: 7 sizes, in regular or slim | Sold as: Single boots | RRP: £86 |
A very popular choice, this Cavallo boot is the most flexible, durable, breathable and user-friendly of the wide Cavallo hoof boot collection. It offers the same all-terrain hoof protection as the rest of the collection, but with a new lightweight mesh upper, which is more breathable and flexible, tear-proof and machine washable.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com or statelinetack.com
EasyCare Easyboot Sneaker
Colours: Black | Sizes: 7 sizes, in regular or narrow | Sold as: Single boots | RRP: £74.95 |
The Easyboot Sneaker is the most pliable boot in the EasyCare range. It features a new tread design, which absorbs shock, wears well and allows for natural movement. It is suitable for pleasure riders, turnout and therapy uses. The strapping system locks the heel in place to reduce twisting and improve boot retention, and the replaceable front strap is quick and easy to fasten. Studs can be added for additional grip on snow and ice.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com or statelinetack.com
Cavallo Simple Hoof Boot
Colours: Black | Sizes: 7 sizes, in regular or narrow | Sold as: Pair | RRP: £149.95 |
This multi-purpose boot is designed for protecting your horse’s hooves on hard, rough terrain. It can be used for horses with hoof sensitivity or those who are rehabilitating from injury, as well as protection while travelling or used as a spare for lost shoes.
The boots are lightweight, are designed to drain when wet and have a leather foam-filled collar for pastern protection. They have an outsole with a tread pattern that supports the hoof wall and minimises the build up of mud, sand and debris. The centre is recessed to minimise pressure, while the raised inner trim takes pressure off the sole, bar and frogs.
The regular sole fits a hoof that is as wide as it is long, while the slim sole fits a hoof that is at least ¼in narrower than long.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com or statelinetack.com
Equine Fusion Active Boots
Colours: Black | Sizes: 10 sizes, in regular or slim | Sold as: Pairs | RRP: £189.60 |
These Equine Fusion boots have the same tread as the All Terrain model but with a new, improved upper, which makes them easier to fit, allows a closer and more adjustable fit, and has extra padding at the front. The design allows unrestricted natural movement of the heels, and padding in the front of the boot for comfort making them suitable for riding across all terrains, jumping and rehabilitation.
In the UK? View now at ebay.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com
Cavallo Entry Level Boot
Colours: Black | Sizes: 7 sizes, in regular or narrow | Sold as: Single or pairs | RRP: £69.95 for one boot |
The boots are described as ideal for newly barefoot horses who are transitioning. The upper portion of the boot is made of a 1680D industrial nylon material and fastens with a strong Velcro closure that can be replaced to extend the life of the boot in the event of Velcro fatigue. They have a soft foam collar and can be used on either foot. The soles have built-in side drainage slots that drain mud, water and sand easily to prevent clogging.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com or statelinetack.com
HKM Hoof Boots
Colours: Black | Sizes: 11 sizes | Sold as: Single boots | RRP: £59.95 |
These boots are cheaper – but arguably less technical – than many others on the list. They are made of tear-proof nylon with soft lining at the coronet. The closure has double touch-tape fastenings and the sole is made of a hard-wearing plastic.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk
Waldhausen Hoof Boots
Colours: Black | Sizes: 5 sizes | Sold as: Single boots | RRP: £53.37 |
This boot opens at the back and the sides fold forward so you can pull it on easily. It has a cushioned rim to prevent rubbing and the shield on the front offers extra protection from knocks.
In the UK? View now at viovet.co.uk
Renegade Viper Boots
Colours: Black, red, green, orange or copper | Sizes: 13 sizes | Sold as: Single boots | RRP: £105.95 |
The Renegade Viper is an update to the Renegade Classic – it incorporates the same pivoting heel design, cabling system, and straps as the but has a deeper tread, making it longer lasting. It also has a trimmed down, sleeker look, which in addition to the new plastic makes it about 15% lighter.
Flex Boots Boot
Colours: Black, yellow, green, red, blue, purple, turquoise, pink, orange or neon green | Sizes: 4 horse sizes, 3 pony sizes or custom variations | Sold as: Single boots | RRP: From £79.95 |
These Flex Boots are described as the softest hoof boots on the market, durable, comfortable, and easy to put on and take off. They are designed with neoprene gaiters and have two back strap settings. They can be worn 24/7.
Floating Boots 2019 Boot
Colours: Black, yellow, blue, orange, red or pink | Sizes: 7 sizes, in front or rear shapes | Sold as: Single boots or pairs | RRP: £110.45 for a single boot |
This update to the original boot features a new ergonomic gaiter, which has made the overall boot 22% lighter. The boot allows independent heel movement, while the inner sole has small rubber dots that offer comfort and allow the hoof to have full contact with the sole. There are two tread options – the translucent Sport option, which is a good all-round tread over different terrains, or the black Endurance tread, which is designed especially for dry or rocky terrain.
Scoot Boots
Colours: Black, yellow, blue, orange, red or pink | Sizes: 17 regular sizes, 10 slim sizes | Sold as: Single boots or pairs | RRP: £72 for a single boot |
Unlike most other styles, these Scoot Boots are constructed entirely of a very strong TPU plastic, which means they will not get soggy, heavy or wet when riding through muddy or wet terrain. This simple design also makes them easy to clean.
Swiss Galopper Hoof Boots
Colours: Black | Sizes: 6 sizes, in standard or -L | Sold as: Pairs | RRP: From £204.95 |
Made from 100% recyclable plastic, these Swiss Galopper boots have a lifespan of 2,000km (1,243 miles). The flexible, shock-absorbing insole is easy on the joints and prevents the boot from turning on the hoof. There is an SG-L size for horses with longer hooves and higher heel bulbs.
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